Device for feeding ink



J. B. ROOZEE DEVICE FOR FEEDING iNK Dec. 30, 1 9 58 s sheets-sheet 1 Filed April 19, 1957 n x Wm NW LIFE mic/'2" V 7 James Burfozz Foozee Dec. 30, 1958 J. B. ROOZEE 2, 6,57

DEVICE FOR FEEDING INK W; A g 'i nm 57A UH i U WNW- (W 4 Ell E 22227? .James Burton Eoozee Dec. 30, 1958 J. B. ROOZEE 2,866,579

DEVICE FOR FEEDING INK Filed April 19, 1957 3 SheeEs-Sheet 3 I J. [TWA q 50 Eli E 7.1227? James Burtm Ewzee United States PatentO DEVICE FOR FEEDING INK James B. Roozee, Arlington Heights, Ill., assignor to Vandercook & Sons, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application April 19, 1957, Serial No. 654,032

17 Claims. (Cl. 222-180) This invention relates to dispensers and is for use in dispensing semi-liquids, or liquid products, such as printers ink from cans.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of this class which is new, novel, practical and of utility; which will allow the handling of printers inks sold in sealed cans without the usual spillage; which will assure delivery of full measure from the cans; which will dispense ink under pressure from an opening in the bottom of the can which becomes the top thereof when in use, thus preventing the possibility of mixing dust and dirt with the entire contents of the can; which permits the can to be quickly inserted and removed from the gripping member of the device; which will provide a magnetized supporting member for the spatula used by the operator; and, which will be eflicient in accomplishing all the purposes for which it is intended.

It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby the ink feeding plunger and the ink can are detachably held so that when the feeding mechanism is reversed, the plunger will contact extended portions of the gripping members and automatically release the can without further aid of the operator.

.It is a further object of this invention to provide a dispenser to be used with a can of printers ink having the cover removed, whereby the can may be quickly covered with a circular disk of neoprene, or rubber, and then quickly and easily assembled and disassembled with the device without the use of tools whatsoever.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a dispenser which is exceedingly simple to clean and which will operate satisfactorily over long periods of time.

The foregoing statements are indicative in a general .way of the nature of the invention, other and more specific objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon a full understanding of the construction and operation of the device.

A single embodiment of this invention is presented herein for the purpose of exemplification, but it will be appreciated that in practically all of its aspects the invention is susceptible of incorporation in other modified forms.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 shows a front elevational view of a dispensing support and container embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the dispensing support and container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through an ink container, with ink therein, and cover assembled therewith;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through an ink container, the cover removed and a resilient sealing disk resting upon the top surface of the ink enclosed therein;

Figure 5 is a disassembled elevation, partly in section pf an inverted container with ink and sealing gasket and Patented Dec. 30, 1958 plunger with the associated parts separated and arranged to show position prior-to assembly together;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view showing the containerinsection and assembled with the supporting bracket and associated parts, showing the closed end of the container perforated and a quantity of ink upon the upper side thereof, and a portion of the lower bracket broken away for clearness;

Figure 7 is a disassembled elevation showing thecontainer in section and void of ink, and the container released from the plunger and bracket, the plunger shown in contact with the releasing arms thereof;

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view taken in the plane of the line 8-8 of Figure 1; and

Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary view, showing the cylindrical threaded shaft and its associated freely rotatable plunger and plunger shaft assembled therewith.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates the vertical wall portion of the supporting bracket embodied in this invention. The wall portion 10 has embodied therewith a horizontal top flange portion 11 and a horizontal base portion 12, resulting in a channel-shaped bracket. The lower portion of the bracket may be secured to any desired supporting surface upon a printing machine, or a suitable surface adjacent thereto, by any suitable means, such as by a suction means, or screws, or bolt means. In the drawings I have shown a downwardly extending flange 14 as forming a part of the base portion 12, designed with bolt holes for securing the bracket in a vertical position on any desired'vertical surface. This flange portion 14 will secure and support the entire bracket rigidly. The numeral 15 designates several flexible metallic units, or spring tongues, each consisting of an-upper end portion 16, a lower end portion 17, and an intermediate portion 18. The lower end portions 17 are bolted to base portion 12 of said bracket whereby the upper and intermediate portions thereof extend upwardly of the base 12. The numeral 20 designates a series of rigid angles, or metal arms, one angle or arm projecting inwardly and horizontally from each of said flexible spring tongues 15. Slight pressure upon an arm 20 will cause the spring tongue 15 to which it is secured to move inwardly. The upper end portions 16 of said tongues always have a tendency to spring outwardly if for any reason they are moved inwardly by any suitable force. Saidflexible spring tongues therefore form a suitable expansion type support for supporting open end containers and the like.

Numeral 25 designates a container for ink generally formed with a metallic body 26, on the bottom of which is secured a metallic bottom or end 27, suitably formed or sealed with the end of the body. A metallic cover 28 having a depending skirt portion 29 is shown applied to the upper end portion of said body 26 by Figure 3. The upper peripheral edge portion of said body 26 is provided with a bead, or inwardly rolled edge 30. A curled head, or raised portion 32, is formed a short distance below the open end of the container to form a sealing stop for the lowermost edge portion of the metallic cover 28. The container 25 is shown as containing ink 33, or a semi-liquid, to be dispensed. The numeral 35 designates a resilient disk, or neoprene disk, and is shown by Figure 4 as applied to the top surface of the ink whenever the cover 28 is removed, said disk 35 sealing the contents of the container in a manner to be described below.

The horizontal base portion 12 of said bracket 10 is further provided with a boss 36 centrally positioned with relation to the circularly arranged spring tongues Shaft 37 has 'a bore extending entirely through its entire length to form a bearing 37a for a plunger shaft 13, said plunger shaft 13 having a plunger, or circular metallic disk 39, embodying a central aperture-40, .assembled upon, its upper end. and .riveted or spot-welded to said upper end. Theflowenend .of said threaded shaft 37 has assembled therewitha 'knurle'dfknob 38, silver soldered flush with the bottom end thereof, said knob having a central .bore in line with the, bore in said threaded shaft,37. The plunger shaft has its'lower end drilled and internally threaded to receive the threaded male portion 41a of a locking bolt 41 extending upwardly through said knob 38 and into its lower end, said bolt 41 having an enlargedhead portion. 41b. Said head portion 41b of said bolt 41 is spaced a desired distance below the bottom side of said knurled knob 38 to provide suitable clearance therebetween as clearly shown by Figure 9. Thus rotation of the knob38,-and said threaded shaft-37, while the plunger 39'is in contact with any object, the plunger and plunger shaft will not rotate within the bearing of the rotating threaded shaft 37, which in turn effects raising and lowering of the plunger without the rotation thereof. Thus said enlarged bolthead coacting with said ,plunger secures the plunger shaft within said threaded shaft '37, while allowing free rotation of the plunger shaft and slight vertical movement thereof within the bearing of said threaded shaft 37.

To dispense ink, or the like, from the container 26,

the cover 28 is removed, the neoprene disk .35 is applied to the upper surface of the ink, the container is inverted and placed over the plunger, the plunger and neoprene disk forming a seal for the container when assembled in an inverted position with the bracket. The

flexible spring tongues are inserted within the open end of the container extending below the neoprene disk 35. The upper ends 16 of said tongues will not grip the container adjacent the lower peripheral end portion thereof until the plunger is raised, releasing the tongues. As the piston is raised by manipulation of the knob 38 and shaft 37, said upper ends 16 of the flexible units 15 will grip and keep the container in locked position. Once the container isarranged in place and locked with respect to said plunger, the bottom of the container 27,

which is now at the top thereof, is punctured at the center thereof, providing an aperture 54 approximately /2." in diameter. Upon further upward movement of the plunger, by rotation of said knob 38 and shaft 37, the ink 33 within the container will be forced outwardly from the container and onto the upper surface of said container where said ink may be removed by a spatula, or other suitable tool in the hand of an operator. The

upward travel of the plunger will cause the neoprene 15, causing the same to move inwardly; the upper end 16 of said units 15 releasing the empty container for quick removal therefrom. A full container of ink may be inserted to replace the former container. Upon upward movement of the plunger, the new container will be secured in place and ready for dispensing of ink after the operator has punctured the upper surface thereof.

The bracketfurther embodies with the upper flange portion 11a housing 45 made of suitable, non-magnetic material. A horseshoe-shaped permanent magnet 46 is enclosed or partially enclosed in said housing, and 'is no arranged that it presents flat end surfaces 47 and 48,

parallel with each other and extending across the entire width of the housing. Said housing and magnet may be referred to as a magnetic latch. The front of said housing 45 is shown with two horizontal slots, or open ings, through which the ends of the magnetic polet extend for a short distance. The housing may be de' signed with other shapes and contours, however suc] changes are unpatentable variations included within the scope of this invention.

A spatula 50, with a suitable wooden handle 51, and metal blade 52, is shown in Figure 8 as supported on the bracket extension 11. In this form the metal blade is attracted by the magnet 46. The spatula may be quickly removed and replaced by the operator as desired.

It is, of course, not necessary that this invention be limited to dispensers with a flat upper surface having but one perforation, as the upper surface may be-of any shape suitable for container design. It is preferred to have a sufficiently strong frictional contact between the rubber gasket and the inside of the container so that the plunger and disk are readily fed upwardly to feed material, such as ink, toward the upper perforated end of .the container, through the perforation and onto the upper surface of the container when the knob ,38 and screw 37 are rotated with respect to the supporting bracket.

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in forms other than that which is illustrated herein, and applicable for uses and purposes other than as detailed, and I therefore consider as my own all such modifications and adaptations and other uses of the form of the device herein described as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A device for dispensing ink from a cylindrical open ended container, including a support, a vertical shaft arranged for relative movement with respect to the support, a plurality of upwardly extending flexible units mounted upon said support concentric with said shaft, each unit having an inwardly extending arm secured to the intermediate portion thereof, said units for supporting an open ended ink container when assembled therewith, the upper edges of said flexible units in gripping engagement with an annular flange formed on the lower peripheral edge portion of said container, a plunge rmovably mounted upon the upper end of said vertical shaft, a sealing gasket in contact with'the upper surface of said plunger, said plunger and said gasket forming a closure for the open end of said container, whereby the upward movement of said plunger will force-ink from the container out through an aperture in the upper end thereof and the downward'movement of said plunger'will cause it to contact said arms and effecting inward movement of said flexible units and'thc automatic release of said ink container.

.2. A device for feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended ink container, comprising a supporting base, a movable shaft extending vertically through said supporting base, a plunger rotatably mounted on the upper;end of said movable shaft, and a plurality of flexible members mounted on said base concentric with said movable shaft for supporting said container with its open end.toward said plunger and with said plunger forming a bottom closure for said container, there being a liquid dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container to permit the discharge of the contents of the container, whereby the upward travel of'said plunger serves to dispense ink through said outlet.

3. A device for feeding ink from an ink container, comprising a supporting bracket, said bracket designed to be secured-to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a horizontal supporting base having a threaded bore thereinya threaded shaft extending vertically through said bore, a plunger with a plunger shaft movably mounted with the upper end of said shaft, and a plurality of flexible members mounted on said horizontal supporting base concentric with said shaft for supporting said container with its open end extending downwardly toward said plunger, means connected with the lower end of said shaft for imparting a vertical movement thereto upon the rotation thereof, said plunger forming a bottom closure for said container, there being a'liquid dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container to permit the discharge of the contents of the container; whereby the upward travel of said plunger serves to dispense ink through said outlet.

4. A device for feeding ink from an ink container, comprising a supporting bracket, said bracket designed to be secured to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a horizontal supporting base, a threaded shaft extending vertically through said base, a plunger with a plunger shaft mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, and means on said base concentric with said shaft for supporting said container with its open end extending toward said plunger, means connected with the lower end of said shaft forimparting a vertical movement thereto upon the rotation of said threaded shaft, said supporting means embodying a plurality of gripping members, the upper ends of said members for gripping said container, said gripping members embodying laterally extending arms,said plunger forming a bottom closure for said container, there being a liquid dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container communicating with the inside thereof to permit discharge of the contents of the container,whereby the upward travel of said plunger serves to dispense ink from and onto the upper surface of said container and the downward travel of said plunger serves to effect automatic release of said container from said gripping members.

5. A device for feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended container, comprising a'stationary supporting base, a threaded shaftextending upwardly through said base, a plunger and plunger shaft movably mounted upon the upper end of said threaded shaft, container supporting means carried by said base and concentric to said shaft, and means connected with the lower end of said shaft for imparting vertical movement thereto, said container when assembled with said supporting means having its open end mounted over said plunger for reception thereof and thereinto to form a bottom closure therefor and including a-plurality of upstanding resilient gripping members, the upper ends of said gripping members being inwardly inclined to releasably grip the lower peripheral edge portion of said container, said gripping members having secured thereto intermediate their length inwardly extending arms for engagement by said plunger, there being an ink dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container to permit thedischarge therethrough of the contents of the container, whereby the upward travel of said plunger serves to; dispense ink from said container and whereby the downward travel of said plunger causes said plunger'to contact said arms to effect the automatic release of said container from said gripping 'members. 6. A device'for feeding ink from a container, comprising a' bracket designed to be secured to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a horizontal supporting base,

' a threaded shaft extending upwardly through said base,

a plunger, said plunger having a plunger shaft secured therewith, said plunger shaft mounted upon the upper end of'said threaded shaft, a plurality 'of flexible container supporting members carried by said bracket and concentric with said threaded shaft, the upper ends of said flexible supporting members having gripping portions inwardly inclined to releasably grip the peripheral edge portion of the container, said supporting members having inwardly extending arms intermediate their ends for engagement with said plunger during its downward travel, and means connected with the lower end of said threaded shaft for imparting vertical movement thereto, saidcontainer when 6 assembled with said supporting means having its open end mounted over said plunger for reception thereof and therewith, said plunger having a resilient sealing disk in contact with the upper surface thereof, said plunger and said sealing disk forming a bottom closure for said container, there being an ink dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container communicating with the inside thereof to permit discharge therethrough of the contents of the container, whereby the upward travel of said plunger and said sealing disk serves to dispense ink through said outlet and the downward travel of the plunger serves to contact the intermediate arms on said supporting members for releasing their grip with the container.

7. A device for feeding ink from an ink container, comprising a bracket designed to be secured to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a horizontal supporting base having a threaded bore therein, a threaded shaft extending upwardly through said bore, a plunger, said plunger having a plunger shaft movably mounted upon the upper end of said threaded shaft, a plurality of container supporting metallic units carried by said bracket and concentric with said threaded shaft, each of said metallic units consisting of an upper end arm portion, a lower end arm portion and an intermediate arm portion, the lower end arm portion extending inwardly and secured to said bracket, the upper end arm portions extending outwardly to grip said container, the intermediate arm portion for engagement with said plunger during its downward travel, and means connected with the lower end of said threaded shaft for imparting vertical movement thereto upon the rotationthereof, said container when assembled with said supporting means having its open end mounted over said plunger for reception thereof, said plunger having a resilient sealing disk in contact with the upper surface thereof, said plunger and said sealing disk forming a bottom closure for said container, there being an ink dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container communicating with the inside thereof to permit the discharge of the contents of the container therethrough,

whereby the upward travel of said plunger and said disk serves to dispense ink through said outlet and the downward travel of said plunger serves to contact the intermediate arm portion of said metallic units to release the upper arm portions from their grip with the container.

8. A device for feeding ink from an ink container comprising a bracket designed to be secured'to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a horizontal supporting base, a threaded shaft extending vertically through said base, a plunger, said plunger having a plunger shaft rigidly connected thereto, said plunger shaft mounted upon the upper end of said threaded shaft, container supporting means carried by said supporting base concentric with said threaded shaft, and means connected with the lower end of said threaded shaft for imparting a vertical movement thereto, said' container when assembled with said supporting means having its open end mounted over said plunger for reception thereof, said supporting means embodying a plurality of gripping members inwardly inclined to releasably grip the lower peripheral edge portion of said container, said gripping members having secured thereto intermediate their length inwardly extending arms for engagement by said plunger, said plunger having a rethrough said outlet in said container.

9. A device for feeding ink from an ink container and for supporting the spatula employed therewith for applying said ink to an inking roller, comprising a supporting bracket designed to be secured to a supporting 7 surface, said bracketembodyinga =vertical ,body portion, a horizontal base portion, and a horizontal top portion, the top portion of .said :bracketkhaving assembled there with a housing of non-magnetic material, a permanent magnet member mounted :in said housing,,said magnetic member comprising a pair of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced apart, parallel pole pieces extending laterally and outwardly of the, housing whereby the metallic portion of a spatula may be appliedthereto and magnetically supported thereon, the base portion of said bracket having a threaded bore therein, a threaded shaft extending upwardly through said bore, a plunger and a plunger shaft associatedtherewith,movably mounted upon the upper end of said threaded shaft, said plunger having a resilient sealing diskin contact with the Upper surfacezthereof, container supporting means carried by said bracket concentric with said gthreaded shaft, and means connected with the lower end of saidthreaded shaft for imparting a vertical movement thereto upon the rotation thereof, said container when assembled with said supporting means havingits open end mounted over said plunger for reception thereof, said plunger and said sealing disk forming a bottom closure for said con tainer, there being an ink dispensingoutlet in the upper end of the container communicating with the inside roller, comprising in combination a bracket designed to be secured to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a vertical body portion, a horizontal base portion and a horizontal top portion, the top portion of said bracket having assembled therewith a housing of nonmagnetic material, a permanent magnet member mounted in said housing, said magnetic member comprising a pair of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced apart parallel pole pieces extending laterally and outwardly of the housing whereby the metallic portion of a spatula may be applied thereto and magnetically supported thereon, the base portion of said bracket having athreaded bore therein, a threaded shaft extending upwardly through said bore, a plunger with aplunger shaftsecured thereto rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said threaded shaft, said plunger having a resilient sealing disk in contact with the upper surface thereof, container supporting means carried by said base concentric with said shaft, and means connected with the lower end of said shaft for imparting a vertical movement thereto upon the rotation thereof, said containerwhen assembled with said supporting means having its open end mounted over said plunger for the reception thereof, said supporting means including a plurality of gripping members, the upper ends of said gripping members being inwardly inclined to releasably grip the lower edge portion of said container, said gripping members embodying inwardly extending arms intermediate the ends thereof, said plunger forming a bottom closure for said container, a liquid dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container communicating with the inside thereof to permit discharge therethrough of contents of the container, whereby the upward travel of said plunger serves to dispense ink from said container and whereby the downward travel, of said plunger causes said head to contact said arms to effect the automatic release of said container from said gripping members.

11. A device for feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended ink container and forsupporting a-metallic spatula employed therewith for applying'said ink --to anink roller, comprising a supporting bracket, said bracket designed to be secured to a supporting surface,,sai d bracket .yOf channel shapeand embodying avet'ticalbodvypor-r tion, a horizontal base portion and a horizontal top portion, the top horizontal portion of said bracket having assembled therewith a hous ing of non-magnetic material, a permanent magnet member mounted in said housing, said magnet member comprising a pair of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced apart, parallel pole pieces extending laterally and outwardly of the housing whereby the metallic portion of a spatula may be applied thereto and magnetically supported thereon, the base portion of said bracket having a threaded bore therein, a threaded shaft extending vertically through said bore, a plunger rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said plunger having a resilient disk in contact with the upper surface thereof, container supporting means carried by said base concentric with said threaded shaft, and means connected with the lower end of said shaft for imparting a vertical movement thereto upon the rotation thereof, said container when assembled with said supporting means having its open end mounted over said plunger for the reception thereof and incuding a plurality of upstanding resilient metal gripping members, the upper ends of said gripping members being normally inclined to releasably grip the lower peripheral edge portion of said container, said gripping members embodying inwardly extending substantially rigid arms, said plunger and said disk forming a bottom closure for said container, there being an ink dispensing outlet in the upper closed end of said container to permit discharge therethrough of the contents of the container, whereby the upward travel of said plunger and said disk serves to dispense ink from said container and whereby the downward travel of said plunger will contact said inwardly extending arms to effect the automatic release of said container from said resilient metal gripping members.

12. A device for feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended ink container and for supporting the spatula employed therewith for applying said ink to an inking roller, comprising a supporting bracket, said bracket designed to be secured to a supporting surface, said bracket embodying a vertical body portion, a horizontal base portion and a horizontal top portion, the top portion of said bracket having assembled therewith a housing of nonmagnetic material, a permanent magnet member mounted in said housing, said magnetic member comprising a pair of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced apart, parallel pole pieces extending laterally and outwardly of the housing whereby the metallic portion of a spatula may be applied thereto and magnetically supported thereon, the base portion of said bracket having a threaded bore therein, a threaded shaft extending upwardly through said bore, a plunger rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said plunger having a resilient Sealing disk in contact with the upper surface, thereof, container supporting means carried by said base portion of said bracket, concentric with said shaft, and means connected with the lower end of said threaded shaft for imparting the vertical movement thereto upon the rotation thereof, said container, when assembled with said supporting means and having the open end thereof, mounted oversaid plunger for reception thereof and including a plurality ofupstanding gripping members, the upperends of said gripping members being normally inclined to releasably grip the lower peripheral edge portion of said container, said gripping members having secured thereto inwardly extending arms, said plunger and said disk forming a closure for said container, there being an ink dispensing outlet in the upper end of said container to permit the discharge therethrough of the contents of the container, whereby/the upward travel of said plunger serves to dispense ink from said container and whereby the downward travel of said plunger will contact said arms to effect the automatic release of said container from said gripping members.

13. A device of the character, described for, feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended ink container, comprising a bracket having a horizontal base member, said base member having a plurality of upwardly extending resilient metal supports attached thereto, the upper ends of said supports designed to support and grip the interior of the peripheral edge portion of the open end of said ink container when arranged therewith, a movable shaft mounted on said bracket, a plunger rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said shaft and forming a closure for said container, there being a discharge outlet in the upper end of said container, said plunger during its upward travel forcing ink upwardly in said container and through said outlet, and means secured to said supports for releasing said container from said supports when contacted by said plunger during downward travel thereof.

14. A device of the character described for feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended ink container, comprising a bracket having a horizontal base member, said base member having a plurality of upwardly extending resilient metal supports attached thereto, the upper ends of said supports being inwardly inclined to releasably grip the interior of the peripheral edge portion of the open end of said ink container, a movable shaft mounted on said bracket, a plunger rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said plunger during its upward travel serves to force ink upwardly in said container and through an opening in the upper end thereof, and laterally extending arms secured to said supports for effecting movement thereof and the release of said container from the upper ends thereof when said arms are contacted by said plunger upon downward travel thereof.

15. A dispenser for feeding ink from a cylindrical container, comprising a base, a plurality of independent movable upwardly extending supporting units, each unit having its bottom portion secured to said base, said container when assembled with said units having its open end mounted downwardly, the upper ends of said units conformed and turned outwardly to engage and overlap an inner flange extending around the lower peripheral edge portion of said ink container when assembled therewith, each unit having an inwardly extending arm secured to the intermediate portion thereof, a movable shaft extending upwardly through said bracket base and centrally aligned with said container supporting units thereabove, a plunger rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said plunger forming a bottom closure for said container whereby vertical upward movement of said piston serves to dispense the ink in said container upwardly into the upper section thereof outwardly through an orifice in the upper end wall thereof, and whereby downward travel of said plunger contacting said inwardly extending arms serves to move said arms downwardly and effecting inward movement of said supporting units whereby the container is automatically released from said units.

16. A dispenser for feeding ink from a cylindrical open ended container, comprising a base, a series of curved blades secured to said base and operable to support at their uppermost ends an ink container when assembled therewith with the open end thereof extending downwardly by engaging the peripheral edge portion of said container, a movable shaft mounted with said bracket, a plunger rotatably mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said plunger forming a closure for the open bottom end of said container, said plunger movable within said container, said plunger during its upward travel forcing ink upwardly within said container and out through an opening in the upper end thereof, each blade having an inwardly extending arm secured to the intermediate portion thereof, whereby said plunger during its downward travel will contact said arms and force same' downwardly effecting inward movement of said blades and automatically releasing said container from said blades.

17. A device of the class described for feeding ink from an open ended ink container, comprising a bracket having a horizontal base, said base having a series of curved blades secured to said base, said base member having a movable shaft mounted therethrough, a plunger rotatably. mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, said plunger having a resilient gasket on its upper surface, said container when assembled with said blades having its open end mounted on said plunger and gasket, said plunger and gasket movable within said container and forming a bottom closure therefor, said plunger during its upward movement forcing ink upwardly within said container and out through an opening in the upper end thereof, each blade having an inwardly extending arm secured to the intermediate portion thereof, whereby said plunger during its downward travel will contact said arms and serve to force said arms downwardly effecting inward movements of said blades and the automatic release of a container assembled with said blades.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

